Argentina’s Congress is set to name a new interim president later today, after the president and his successor both quit amid violent protests, economic disarray, and claims of dirty politics.
The new leader will face the daunting task of battling a 43-month-old recession, reassuring panicky investors and managing a debt burden the country cannot afford, while confronting widespread discontent over austerity measures.
The top contender for the job is Mr Eduardo Duhalde, 60, a former provincial governor and an influential member of the Peronist party that holds the majority in Congress. An erstwhile vice president, Mr Duhalde was defeated in 1999 presidential elections that brought Mr Fernando de la Rua to power.
Before deciding who will lead the crisis-wracked country, the lawmakers needed to formally accept the resignation of Mr Adolfo Rodriguez Saa, who quit on December 30th, capping weeks of chaos in this South American country.
Complaining of lack of support from his own Peronist party, and accused of including corrupt politicians in his government, Mr Rodriguez Saa resigned only a week after he was named to replace Mr de la Rua, a social democrat, who stepped down on December 20th at the height of protests that left 30 people dead.
Calm has now returned to the country, with streets almost deserted and stores closed for the New Year holiday.
AFP